Sea lion pup rescues could mean busy season

Champagne, a California sea lion yearling curiously sticks her head out of one of the small pools at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. Champagne was rescued from Strands Beach where she was found dehydrated and malnourished.ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Curled up on a fleece blanket, Kate propped her head up against her pen, staring off into space. Perhaps reflecting on her day, which was a bit rocky.

Kate was one of four sea lion pups rescued by the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in South Orange County on Thursday. Dean Gomersall, animal care supervisor, walked more than a hundred yards of the rocky Dana Point jetty to get to the pup, who is malnourished and underweight.

In the first 10 days of January the center has rescued 15 sea lions, more than double the number they rescued in the month of January last year. The numbers go up and down year to year so it's hard to say if it is out of the ordinary, said Animal Care Director Michelle Hunter.

A myriad of reasons could cause the season to start early, such as storms and high surf, making it harder for the pups to navigate the waters. However, Hunter said it's all speculation.

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center, founded in 1971, is the only rehabilitation center of its kind in the County. The nonprofit rescues, medically treats and rehabilitates pinnipeds and cetaceans that beach on the county's coast. Their goal is to release the healthy mammals into the wild and to educate the public on the marine environment. In 2009, the facility was renovated with ICU pens, heated floors and additional pools. In December 2010, the center was ravaged by floods. Later that month, TV icon Bob Barker donated $250,000 to the center.

Kate, named after Special Agent Caitlin "Kate" Todd from "NCIS," is resting and recovering from an infected gash on her left side. She weighs in at 39 lbs., nearly half her ideal weight of 60 lbs., however that's larger than most of the pups that make it through the red barn's doors.

The Laguna Beach center is also temporarily hosting 10 patients from Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort McArthur in San Pedro, which is undergoing renovations, bringing their total patient count to 25.

The San Pedro center took in some of their sea lions when they temporarily closed for the 2010 flood. Development Director Melissa Sciacca said the Laguna center tries to support and help neighboring rehab centers when they can.

RECENT RESCUES

Patrick, named after Sponge Bob's starfish sidekick, and Jenny, also a member of "NCIS," curled up with other rescues in the ICU pen Thursday afternoon. The pups nodded off, their bodies intertwined. Relaxed now, the twosome put up a fight for rescuer Gomersall.

The center got calls about Patrick stranded just south of San Clemente on Wednesday. Shy and scared of onlookers at the beach, Patrick wouldn't let Gomersall anywhere near him. On Thursday they tried again and Gomersall was able to creep up behind him with the net.

Jenny was stranded in Dana Point near the Ocean Institute. On Wednesday, Gomersall waded in waist-deep water to get to her. He was patient and waited until she got used to his presence and nodded off. However, the waves got bigger and Jenny jumped back in the water. On Thursday, he tried again after he got a call that Jenny had climbed to the top of a rock during high tide. When the tide had gone down, he walked up the three-story rock and got her.

Staff rescued a sea lion pup late Thursday night, now going by Rigby, in Capistrano Beach. He was found in the flower pot on the deck of a beach house, his flippers coated in tar.

Once admitted, the pups get tube fed a formula of fish, electrolytes, warm water, vitamins, and medication four times a day. After they get hydrated, the staff weans them to eat fish and eventually they get fed in pools alongside others. After about three months, they're released back into their ocean home.

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Champagne, a California sea lion yearling curiously sticks her head out of one of the small pools at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. Champagne was rescued from Strands Beach where she was found dehydrated and malnourished. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Kate is a California sea lion pup that was admitted to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach on Jan. 10. Kate was found on the Dana Point Harbor with a left shoulder injury. She also was dehydrated and malnourished. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sandy Farwell, a 3-year volunteer of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, feeds a sea lion by throwing fish in the water. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sandy Farwell, a 3-year volunteer of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, holds a container of small fish as a hungry sea lion awaits a feeding. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Elf, a California sea lion pup, holds a fish in his mouth before eating it. Elf was found at the Dana Point Harbor suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Juneau moves and shifts his head along the edge of the metal gate of one of the living quarters in the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. Juneau is a California sea lion pup that was found at Newport Beach suffering from malnutrition, dehydration. He was found with a plastic bag around his neck. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Juneau was found at Newport Beach with a plastic bag around his neck. He was malnourished and dehydrated. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Pilgrim is currently the only elephant seal at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. The female elephant seal yearling was underweight and injured when she was brought to the center on Nov. 15. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Pilgrim is currently the only elephant seal at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. The female elephant seal yearling was underweight and injured when she was brought to the center on Nov. 15. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A sea lion rests at the Betty and Russ Benson nursery at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Michele Hunter, the director of animal care and operations at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, looks over her list of administered patients as she prepares their formulas. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Michele Hunter, the director of animal care and operations at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, mixes and prepares formula so it can be administered to her patients. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A group of sea lions huddled together sleep during the early afternoon. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is currently entering what will be its busiest rescue season. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A group of sea lions, some of which are being nursed to a healthier state, rest in the Betty and Russ Benson nursery. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is currently entering what will be its busiest rescue season. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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